I have a 88 302. I was going to drop off oil at autozone. But then when I got back in to leave the battery light was on. Shut it off asked the clerk to test it. She said starter and battery passed. But the charging system did not. Got home tested the volts with a multimeter 10-12.35 volts. How do I check if the alternator is bad or if it’s something in between the battery and the alternator, it is still a 2G. I’d like to replace it with a 3G if it is bad. What vehicles 3g alternators are compatible with the 88 302. I’d like to get a new one. But they are expensive. Even rockauto is like $120. My junkyard wants $50 for a used one I can’t even test.

 

Pull the alternator and take it to a reliable store for testing. Too much emphasis is placed on 3G alternators. Twenty some years ago, I replaced a faulty 2G alternator and connector with new 2G alternator. To this day it is still working fine.

 

I’ll test it, if it is bad I’ll do a 3G swap because I’ve got 2 halogen lights and I run those with the brights on and ac on full blast with the radio on sometimes and I do notice my voltage drop significantly when I do. But if it ain’t I’ll stick with the 2G

 

I tested wires and all that. It’s got 12v key on engine off it’s making 12.4-13.7 depending on rpm but before it sat 10-12, as of today it’s 13 and 13.7 above idle. So I need a new alternator and since I’m changing it I’m going 3G since it’s got a better wiring connection that won’t catch fire. I was gonna ask DB electrical, or ACDelco?